Midlothian PD surprised Missy Bevers' murderer remains unidentified

MIDLOTHIAN -- Police said Monday they never imagined the identity of the person they believe is responsible for Missy Bevers’ murder would still be unanswered six months later.

It's the latest piece of information coming from a murder investigation that has seen the number of leads decrease, according to assistant chief Kevin Johnson.

"I think that when many of us saw that [video] for the first time, we just felt like there would be other aspects of this case that would have led more quickly to an arrest," Johnson said.

Bevers was found bludgeoned to death in the Creekside Chuch of Christ in the early morning hours of April 18.

Surveillance video showing a suspect walking around in police tactical gear with a helmet provided clear visual evidence of the suspect moving in the church before Bevers, a fitness coach, wife, and mother, arrived.

"This video is distinctive — not only in the gait of the suspect, but the outfit and behavior that we see, as well," Johnson said.

For the first time Monday, Midlothian police also confirmed there is never-before-seen video from the church, but Johnson says those angles are not as clear and likely would not produce additional information to help identify their suspect or even their gender.

Johnson also confirmed exhaustive efforts to locate additional surveillance video of Bevers’ killer or the vehicle that person may have left in anywhere in Midlothian.

The case drew international attention in the weeks following Bevers’ killing with members of her family giving several interviews.

Family members tell News 8 they’re now hesitant to speak out, because doing so brings them more pain, with false accusations and rumors on social media directed at them.

Johnson reiterated Monday that no one in her family is considered in any way connected to Missy Bevers’ death.

G.M. Cox, an associate professor at Tarleton State University in Fort Worth and a former police chief in Murphy, has followed the case since the outset and says it is likely the break in the case exists with someone that knew Bevers well.

"There has to be some link between her death and people in her past," Cox said. "This person intended to do exactly what they did – when they did it – and whom they did it to.”

Johnson says the lead investigator on the case speaks with the FBI several times a week and the federal agency provides personnel and resources whenever needed.

In the six-month investigation, Johnson says they have received approximately 1,300 tips, but fewer than a handful have produced productive leads.